So many of us believe we are living our life for God. We are, after all, the children of God. Daniel, one of the Bible heroes of faith, has a lot to tell us about living for God. It is important to know where our heroes come from, what made them, and what their life challenges and victories are really all about.
After the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, besieged Jerusalem, God allowed him to take control of it. He ordered the master of his eunuchs, Ashpenaz, to bring the children of Judah who were the descendants of the king into his palace. These children who were to be physically perfect, skillful in all wisdom, well educated, and have the ability to learn science and to communicate (Daniel 1:2-4). Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were chosen. They were given Babylonian names as the first step in removing their identity with the Eternal God and becoming Balylonian. Daniel was given the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah the name Shadrach; to Mishael the name Meshach; and to Azariah the name Abednego (vs 6-7).
The next step was to feed them what was considered to be the best food in the land that they would grow strong physically. But Daniel, purposed in his heart (v 8) that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat (he could not be sure it was clean according to God's laws), or with the wine (which was used as a replacement for water, plus could have been sacrificed to the many idols of the land). So, he requested of Ashpenaz that he might not defile himself. In verse 9 we read that God had brought Daniel into favor Ashpenaz, causing him to respect and care deeply for all three. However, Ashpenaz was concerned that if he didn't obey the king, doing things the king's way, and the young men did not develop well physically, he would then be in danger of losing his own life. Daniel understood his concern, and pleaded with him to give them just ten days to eat only vegetables and drink only water. Then, if they were not in as good of shape or better than the captives that ate all of the king's meat, Ashpenaz could deal with them as he saw fit. At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned to the king! Then, (v 17) God gave them an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom as a result of their determination to serve Him. And to Daniel he gave specifically understanding in the interpretation of all visions and dreams.
When the time was up and the king brought all the captive young men who had been training in his kingdom into his court, none were found to be as wise and have more understanding than Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The king in fact found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm (Daniel 1:20). God didn't remove them from their captivity, but instead left them there to live in captivity for Him. What a lesson for us! Know who you are in Christ, and do everything until your last breath to retain that identity.
Following Daniel's example, when you face holiness issues, ask God to bring you into favor and goodwill. He may, or may not; He has a plan. The fight against becoming Babylonian can really be exhausting...it wears us out. Sometimes we wake up and have great faith and feel so strong and positive in the overcoming of the current trial, and then the next day we have none at all and must ask God to give us more. We all become different as society chips away at us, we lose pieces of ourselves in the fight, but with God we can find better and greater pieces to assimilate. God gave Daniel wisdom in the face of what he had to do. He had prepared Daniel for this role. He will prepare us for what we will definitely be facing, but only if we let Him! It is up to us to take the time to prepare with prayerful study of God's word, allowing Him to teach us. Not using our own reasoning or justifying where we are now, but with an open heart to the word of the Eternal God that we may learn and change to become who He wants us to be. So, ask yourself:
Who do you believe in?
Who do you have faith in?
Who are you? Is life without God attractive to you?
Don't ever think God is finished with you...Continue preparing and stand ready to serve, “to give and answer,” when your time comes (I Pet 3:15).
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